Patika Area Study

I. GENERALA. Geography

1. Location and size.a. Location in relation to neighboring provinces – Paktia borders the

Pakistani-ruled tribal areas of North Waziristan and Kurram. b. Paktia covers roughly 6,432 km² (2,483 sq mi).

2. Physical Features.a. Waterways and ports – b. Topography – Paktia is a largely mountainous province, with most of

the population living in the central valley .c. Natural rescources –Road and rail networks – Almost non-existant

roads. No rail system.3. Climate.

a. The climate of Paktia is continental dry with seasonal extremes of heat and cold. It varies with altitude, and benefits from the Indian summer monsoon. Most villages in Nuristan are located between 1,500 m and 2,500 m above sea level. A remarkable absence of wind at this high altitude results in relative comfort for the inhabitants also at low temperatures.

b. In winter, temperatures rarely drop below -10°C. The summer maximum temperature seldom exceeds +30°C. However, in the upper valleys, eg Parun, it gets bitterly cold after the winter solstice. There is plenty of snow in winter, and there is often a risk of snow avalanches. There are rain storms, including heavy thunder storms with hail, in spring. Summers and autumns are dry. Most of the water comes from melting snow on the surrounding mountains.

4. Political Geography.a. Politically organized areas and regionsb. Effectiveness of administration of political areas in relation to

geographic boundries.

c. Cities and towns

d. Boundries - The district borders within Paktia are drawn as follows:

e. Sources of raw materials – Wood, the most common building material, is harvested locally. Other commodities are traded among neighboring provinces.

f. Principles or traditions that command loyal support – noneg. State of industrial development – none

B. History1. Brief history of Paktia.

a. Najibullah Ahmadzai, the former president of Afghanistan, was from Paktia province, in particular the Melan Valley area. Paktia used to be a unified province with Khost and Paktika, these three provinces are now referred to as Loya Paktia which means The Greater Paktia. Paktia came to prominence during the 1980s, when a significant portion of Afghanistan's leadership originated from the province. Some of the more notable leaders include: Najibullah Ahmadzai; Mohammad Aslam Watanjar; Shahnawaz Tanai; and Gulabzoy. Dr. Najibullah is known as one of the beloved Afghan leaders whose pictures can be seen in every corner of the country, including Kabul.

b. More recently, Paktia was the site of heavy fighting between Taliban and NATO forces following the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. Paktia was one of the last redoubts of organized Taliban resistance; much of Operation Anaconda took place in Zormat, one of Paktia's larger districts.

c. Influence exerted by major powers in development - In addition to these caste/class divisions, Paktia society is subdivided into clans,

and each of these contains various lineages, which in turn are further sub-divided into branches composed of closely related families.

d. Divisions or partitions resulting from wars and treaties - Clan and/or community feuds, often about water rights, arable land, theft of livestock, grazing rights and/or abduction of girls and wives, within valleys and between valleys can be violent. When there is a feud involving a whole village, then everyone in the village is expected to provide both moral and material support.

e. Major political factors to the current status in the area - The fragmentation among the tribes and tribal leaders in the area contribute to the continued instability in the area.

f. Present and previous forms of government - While there is a provincial governor and government, the real governance is done at the tribal or clan level.

g. Extent of political control over other areas – None.h. Degree of control over the population exercised by the government

- None.i. Susceptibility of existing government towards major powers – The

Provincial governments are fairly weak and are fairly susceptible to external influence.

j. Political organizations in the area – Jamiat-e Islami (Islamic Society of Afghanistan): Led by former Prime Minister Burhanuddin Rabbani. It is predominately a Tajik political party which was active in the anti-Soviet jihad and a major political player in the Northern Alliance. Today Rabbani supports Karzai. Yunus Qanuni’s Hezb-e Afghanistan Naween broke away from Jamiat-e Islami. The party is particularly popular in Wama and Parun districts. According to Altai surveys it comes in at 18% of the province.Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin (HiG): The party of former Mujahed and Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, HiG was famous for its shifting loyalties, and was the favorite party of Pakistan’s ISI until the rise of the Taliban. Former members continue to wield considerable influence in the province. According to Altai surveys it comes in at 8% of the province. The Kanta tribal chief, Hajji Ghafour, is a former HiG commander.Ittihad-e Islami (Sayyaf): This fundamental party is under the guidance of one Abdul Rasool Sayyaf, and has been since the anti-Soviet campaign. Despite ideological and cultural similarities with the Taliban, Sayyaf did not join them (for personal reasons) and went with the Northern Alliance. He follows strict Wahhabi interpretations of Islam, and is not known for tolerance. In the past this party has been known for its foreign supporters and followers; the former often Arab, the latter from places as diverse as the Southern Philippines, Chechnya, and Bosnia. In February 1993

government forces and members of the Ittihad-e Islami massacred over 700 Hazara in the Afshar district of West Kabul.Hamnazar: One of the most important parties of the Meshrano Jirga, Hamnazar (Alliance) mainly consists of pro-Karzai MPs, who are Western sympathizers. The group numbers some thirty parliamentarians and is led by Amin Zai. A doctor by profession, he is closely allied with Karzai who strongly supported him for this position.

2. Brief coverage of each:a. International treaty to which subject area is a signatory – Noneb. Status of Forces agreements – Nonec. Summary pronouncements of national policy pertinent to te subject

area or country – NoneC. People.

1. Population.a. Numbers – Approximately 415, 000b. Distribution and density – All population lives in rural areas. .c. Birth and death rates. Annual number of births – Approximately

6660. The population is growing at approximately 2.67% annually. The average life expectancy is 44 years of age.

d. Biological sketches of prominent personalities: 2. Culture and social structure.

a. Culture.1) History, government, and geography as they affect the

cultural makeup of the people.a) Events and facts considered most important- Main

ethnic groups: Pashtun, Tajik (9%), Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, Aimaq, Baluch, Nuristani, Kizilbash. Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19%, other 1%. Main languages: Dari (Afghan Persian), Pashto.

b) Traditionally conducted activities, beliefs, or situations. - - When there is a dispute involving the whole village then the entire village is expected to provide both moral and material support.

2) Heroes and leaders of groups, with reasons for special esteem. – Not known.

3) Ethnic groups (racial, tribal, or religious) and population distribution (rural or urban with ratios of age, sex, and imported or exported labor forces). - Official data on the ethnic composition in Paktia are not available.

Districts ???? Males Females Total

4) Minority groups (unique challenges or conditions) - In addition, there are smaller ethnic groups of

5) Moral Codes - When there is a dispute involving the whole village then the entire village is expected to provide both moral and material support.

6) Attitudes toward age, sex, race – Elders are held in high regard. Women are considered second class to men. Paktians generally are proud and ethnocentric people who do not look favorably on outsiders of any ethnic type.

7) Influences on personality development. – Not known.8) Individuality – The Paktians tend to identify more with the

tribe than the individual.9) Privacy – There is very little privacy within the family.

There is an average of 9 family members per household. Most dwellings are interconnected,

10) Nature of people’s perceptions – The remoteness of Nuristan creates a sheltered existence where there is vey little external influence. The Paktians norms are the only norms they know and understand.

11) Clothing – Women’s clothes tend to be black or dark blue, which is less brightly colored than the clothes worn by other Afghan women. The shape and length of the Paktian dress is similar to that of the Baluchis. It is more geometrical in shape with long sleeve. The Paktian women embellish their clothes with embroidery using brightly colored thread. Unlike the dresses of most other ethnic groups in Afghanistan, the Paktians do not concentrated their embroidery in any specific area such as the bodice or sleeves. Instead, the entire fabric of the dress is covered with embroidery. The most common stitching technique used is the cross-stitch. Men’s basic outfit consists of Tunic-shirt, pants and head covering (Turban or hat) and shoes. As for Men’s basic outfits, solid colors and plain designs are common for the two-piece tunic-shirt and pants.

12) Fatalism or self determination – Fatalism13) Values in economic philosophy (cooperation, competition,

respect for personal and private property) – Paktian people engage in subsistence trading for the most part.

b. Social Structure1) Status of males and females, by age2) Humor and entertainment – None3) Community Participation – Community is fairly cohesive at

the tribal and village level. Everyone is expected to contribute when responding to an external threat or internal crisis.

4) Exchange of gifts – The Paktian people will exchange friendship gifts with visitors.

5) Public displays of emotions. – No.6) Lines of authority – Informal based on an elder’s reputation

and respect.7) Cooperation versus competition, including economics –

Paktians tend to be cooperative internally. They are interdependent upon each other for survival.

8) The familya) Roles and status of family members – Gender roles

are rigid. Wives are secondary to husbands. Children are secondary to parents and elders. Young boys get priority of education over young girls. Young girls are expected to help care for younger siblings and help mothers in working the fields. Women work the crop fields and men tend to farm the livestock.

b) Nuclear or extended – Paktians exist as part of the extended family and have great regards for family lineage.

c) Authority, obedience, place, and expectations of members. – Men are the heads of the household and have authority over all family members. Children and women are expected to be obedient to the men. Children are expected to assist with the work.

d) Place in society - The family is a central institution within the society.

e) Inheritance customs – Women and daughters generally receive no inheritance. Inheritance is divided equally between surviving male children.

f) Entrance rites and rituals – Not knowng) Markers of social change, adulthood, special

activities. – Not known.9) Dating and marriage

a) Age standards – There are no set age standards for marriage. Marriage before adulthood is acceptable.

b) Influence of family and peers – It is acceptable for families to arrange marriages.

c) Common dating practices, courtship activities – Not known.

d) Chaperones, group dating. – Not known.e) Engagement Customs. – Not known.f) Divorce, separation, aloneness. – Men can divorce

their wives for little or no justification. It is very difficult for woman to divorce their husbands. Husbands have to agree to the divorce and there

must be witnesses to why the woman should be allowed the divorce. Once divorced, women have few options and often lose child custody.

g) Sexual mores – Not known.10) Greetings

a) Conversation and gestures on meeting. – Not known as the Paktian people speak six mutually unintelligible languages.

b) Distinctive approaches for greetings. – Not known.c) Compliments given or received. – Not known.d) Space and time (standing, sitting, distance between

people). – Not known.e) Farewell and leave taking. – Not known.f) Use of first names versus titles. – Not known.g) Favorite, familiar, or pleasing phrases – Not known.

11) Visiting Practicesa) Conversations

1. Topics. – One always starts by asking about the other’s health, followed by the health of the other’s family and livestock.

2. Appropriate part of visit. – Not known.3. Attitude, rate, pitch, and tone. – Not known.

b) Gifts. – Friendship gifts are often exchanged.c) Compliments on possessions, family, and children.

– Not known.d) Parties and other social events. – Not Known.e) Business discussions. – Not known.f) Mannerisms, gestures, posture, eye contact, and

facial expressions. – Not known.12) Eating practices.

a) Table manners (before, during, and after the meal). – Food is never passed with the left hand.

b) Average diet, meal size, and scheduling. - Eating and Drinking. Afghan food is essentially a variety of Persian food, with influences from the non-Iranian ethnic groups. It centers on pilaus, kabobs, chalows, and dumpling-like dishes introduced by the Altaic peoples from the north. Meals are usually eaten twice a day with the mid day meal being omitted.

c) Specific foods reserved for special occasions or rituals. – Not known.

d) Forbidden foods. – Pork.e) Social and other occasions. - Even the poorest

Afghan families who can hardly feed themselves go to any length to make a visitor feel welcome and

valued. The best foods are offered in large quantities. The experience would be shared with much fellowship, laughter, and affection. If an Afghan acquaintance expresses a wish to entertain, or to invite an American to tea, the men will socialize with the men, and the women will socialize with the women. Separate-sex entertaining is the norm. Afghan social occasions are predominantly family and extended family affairs. Picnics are important events on Fridays, the official government and religious holiday for Afghans. Many parties are for either male or female groups, and in rural areas of Afghanistan, if both sexes are invited, they will socialize separately. The most festive holiday celebrated by Afghans, and Iranians, is Nawroz, the New Year celebration, which occurs on March 21, the vernal equinox. Literally meaning ‘new day,’ Nawroz is celebrated with picnics, similar to American cookouts. The festival has its roots in Zoroastrianism, a religion brought from Persia long before the rise of Islam. During the celebrations, lavish meals are prepared. Two dishes, samanak and haft-mehwah are specially cooked for the occasion. Samanak is a dessert made of wheat and sugar that can take two days to prepare. Haft-mehwah consists of seven fruits and nuts that symbolize the coming of spring.

f) Unique problems and challenges. – Food is not to be eaten or passed with the left hand.

13) Work and recreation. –a) Age, sex, status, and hierarchy. – Not known.b) Schedules – Not knownc) Obligations, successes, or failures. – Not knownd) Business codes. – Paktikans must have a

relationship with an individual before they do business with them.

e) Bribes are a common and an accepted practice.f) Family, cultural, and social recreation, vacation, and

sports. – Men sometimes play a games called quoits or field hockey.

g) Individual recreation (age and sex exclusions and variations). – Not Known.

h) Distinctive arts and sciences. – Nonei) Well-known artists, athletes, and others.

c. Dos and don’ts: -Don’t retaliate against innocent people for attacks

by insurgents.-Don’t inflict excessive casualties on civilians while

taking out few insurgents.-Don’t raid houses at night for no cause. ANA soldiers should e the lead in all houe clearing operations.-Don’t trust US informers who are not being honest. These informers have their own agenda and manipulate the truth.-Do take the time to understand the local people.

3. Languagea. Language distribution. – There are five separate but related

Paktikan languages spoken by some fifteen ethnic groups across Nuristan Province. These languages include Vasi-vari, Kamkata-vari, Ashkunu, Kalasha – ala, Tregami. Additionally, the Pashai language is spoken in Nurgram and Doab Districts of western Nuristan Province. Within those districts, Gurjari is spoken by Gujar settlers. Most adult Nuristani males and many females speak Pashto or Dari as second languages. Dari is spoken as a first language in a few westernmost Nuristani villages of Mandol District.

b. Minority Groups. – Vasi, Kata, Mumo, Kom Kushto, Sanu, Gramsana, Ashkun, Vai, Nishei, Tregami, Pashai, Gujar, Pashtun, Kata.

c. Standardization of languages. – None.4. Religion

a. Religious sects (number, key leaders, and geographic locations). – Paktikans are Sunni Muslims of the Hanafi doctrine, like the majority of Muslims in Afganistan.

b. Funeral and burial practices.- Not Knownc. Religious problems. – Many Mullahs speak out against OEF and

ISAF presence in the area as well as supporting Taliban leaders.d. Eating and dietary habits – Paktikans follow the fasting practices

of Ramadan.e. Sexual mores, including interrelations and intermarriages with

alien personnel. – Polygamy is acceptable in that men are allowed to have as many as four wives. There are some intermarriages within different ethnic groups and tribes.

f. Written and unwritten laws of conduct and human behavior. Paktikans follow Sharia law.

D. U.S. Interests.1. U.S. military units and teams in the area and their activities. - There is a Provincial Reconstruction Team operating in the area. Other military

operations have been suspended in the area due to the declining security situation.

2. U.S. Government organizations in the area and their interests. – None

at the current time due to the declining security situation.3. U.S. Civilian organizations and interests in the area. – Civilian

organizations have many interests in the area, however none are in the area at the current time due to the declining security situation .

4. Legal agreements and treaties. – Not known.5. Trade and commercial interests. – The area has a substantial amount

natural resources in the form of gemstones. Wood and wood products are also of trade interest in the area.

E. FN Support.1. C2

a. Space and facilities at echelons above corps. – None.b. C2 of other functional areas. – None.c. Area security. – The security situation in the area is declining in

the area.d. Dislocated civilians. – There are a nominal number of dislocated

civilians.e. Battlefield circulation control communications.

1) Use of communications systems. – None.2) Repair of communications systems. – None3) Cable construction and repair. – None.

2. Combat service support.a. Use of FN transportation and distribution systems, including

highways, railways, waterways, ports (public and private). – There are few good roads in the province. There are no railways, waterways, or ports in the province.

b. Use of FN buildings. – None.c. Civilian services (laundry, bath, bakery, food, and water). There is

a basic subsistence economy in place with small businesses providing some of these basic services.

d. Depot operations and depot maintenance. – None.e. Material handling equipment. – Not known.f. Labor.

1) Skilled. – Not known.2) Unskilled – This describes the majority of the laborers in

the area,3) Agricultural. – Most families engage in subsistence

farming. Families sell food that is surplus to their needs.4) Laborers for hire are almost exclusively male.5) Draft exemption for U.S. employees. – Yes6) Third country (labor necessity, availability, and quantity). –

Not known.7) Screened by intelligence. – No.8) Linguists and interpreters. – Not known.9) Salary (standard wage). – Per capita income is estimated at

about $200 per year.10) Workdays. – Sunday through Thursday.

3. Mobility and Survivabilitya. Repair of railroads, highways, and pipelines. – The infrastructure

(roads) is in poor shape.b. Obstacle construction. – None.c. Contract guard service. – Not known.d. Decontamination. – Not needed.e. Port facilities and repair. – None.f. Barrier and construction materials. – yes

4. Medical.a. Hospitals. – The nearest hospital is the Mehtarlam Hospital in

Laghman.b. Medical evacuation. U.S. military medical evacuation only.c. Medical supplies and equipment. – Limited to U.S. military

medical supplies on hand.5. FN POC for U.S. forces and procedures. – Not applicable.6. Impact of U.S. presence on the FN economy. -

II. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. A. General System of Public Administration.

1. Political traditions. - Currently many directors of line departments are displaced in neighboring provinces and Kabul. The governor’s office, and a few departments are using office spaces in the police HQ in Parun. Other departments are located in nearby villages.

2. Political stability. - The reconstruction of government buildings and offices was singled out as the top priority by the governor. The government administrative positions are not fully occupied. Only a few are functioning at minimum level (e.g. RRD, Education, and Culture and Information).

3. Standards and effectiveness. - The government is ineffective in that it is not able to provide basic services to the citizens in the area.

4. Constitutional system - The constitution provides for an elected President and National Assembly. The constitution involves a strong presidential system. The President of Afghanistan is elected directly by the Afghan people to a five-year term, and can be elected no more than twice. The president has two vice-presidents, one being more important than the other because one is number one and the other is number two. The National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan consists of two houses: the Wolesi Jirga (House of the People) and the Meshrano Jirga (House of Elders). The Wolesi Jirga, the more powerful house, consists of a maximum of 250 delegates directly elected through a system of proportional representation. Members are elected on a provincial basis and serve for five years. At least 64 delegates must be women; and ten Kuchi nomads are also elected among their peers. The Wolesi Jirga has the primary responsibility for making and ratifying laws and approving the actions of the president. The constitution divides Afghanistan into 32 provinces, with the addition of the Panjshir region

as a province. Each province is governed by a provincial council with members elected for four-year terms. Governors are appointed by the president. Every village and town will also have councils, with members serving for three years.

5. Civil rights and practices.- Not known.

6. Political factions, movements, and dynamics.

a. Jamiat-e Islami (Islamic Society of Afghanistan) – Led by former Prime Minister Burhanuddin Rabbani. It is predominately a Tajik political party which was active in the anti-Soviet jihad and a major political player in the Northern Alliance. Today Rabbani supports Karzai. Yunus Qanuni’s Hezb-e Afghanistan Naween broke away from Jamiat-e Islami. The party is particularly popular in Wama and Parun districts. According to Altai surveys it comes in at 18% of the province.

b. Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin (HiG) - The party of former Mujahed and Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, HiG was famous for its shifting loyalties, and was the favorite party of Pakistan’s ISI until the rise of the Taliban. Former members continue to wield considerable influence in the province. According to Altai surveys it comes in at 8% of the province. The Kanta tribal chief, Hajji Ghafour, is a former HiG commander.

c. Ittihad-e Islami (Sayyaf) - This fundamental party is under the guidance of one Abdul Rasool Sayyaf, and has been since the anti- Soviet campaign. Despite ideological and cultural similarities with the Taliban, Sayyaf did not join them (for personal reasons) and went with the Northern Alliance. He follows strict Wahhabi interpretations of Islam, and is not known for tolerance. In the past this party has been known for its foreign supporters and followers; the former often Arab, the latter from places as diverse as the Southern Philippines, Chechnya, and Bosnia. In February 1993 government forces and members of the Ittihad-e Islami massacred over 700 Hazara in the Afshar district of West Kabul.

d. Hamnazar - One of the most important parties of the Meshrano Jirga, Hamnazar (Alliance) mainly consists of pro-Karzai MPs, who are Western sympathizers. The group numbers some thirty parliamentarians and is led by Amin Zai. A doctor by profession, he is closely allied with Karzai who strongly supported him for this position.

B. Structure of Provincial Government.

1. At the moment the most important Government departments include Education, Health, Agriculture, Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Irrigation department, Women Affairs, Public Work, National police, national Security, Hajj and Awqaf, Mines and Industries, Martyrs and Disabled, and etc. Perhaps the Governor is on the top of Provincial administration.

In reality these provincial entities have neither qualified personnel nor financial and material sources to run their daily business efficiently. In addition, there is no provincially based sectoral policy ad strategy that guides the operational functions of those departments. Henceforth, in the present setting, it goes without saying that provincial authority lacks both the capacities to provide basic services and the means to respond to any emergency situation.

LIST OF THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES IN PAKTIAS.No

Name of Department

Name of Department Head

Mobile Phone or Satellite No.

Email Address

1 Governor’s Office

2 Finance (Mastofiat)

3 Education

4 Provincial Court

5 Agriculture

6 Afgha Red Crescent Society

7 Public Works

8 Attorney/Prosecution

9 State Affairs

10 Dept of Tribes

11 Custom House

12 Culture / Information

13 Radio/TV

14 Public Health

15 Monopoly

16 Communication

17 Women Affairs

18 National Security

19 Religious Affairs

20 Transport

21 Martyrs/Disabled

22 Irrigation

23 Social Affairs

24 Foreign Affairs

25 Municipality

26 Rural Rehabilitation

27 Electricity and Water

28 Religious trust

29 Refugees and Returnees

30 Traffic

31 Mines and Industries

32 Counter Narcotics

33 Ariana Afghan Airlines

34 Police

35 City Police

36 Military Corps

37 Rights

38 Appeal Court

39 Environment

40

2. Legislative branch. The 2005 Parliamentary Election for the Wolesi Jirga or House of the People were conducted on September 18, 2005. This was the first parliamentary election in Afghanistan since 1969. 2707 candidates, including 328 women, competed for 249 seats. The election was conducted with multiple seat electoral constituencies. Each province is a constituency and has a varying number of seats, depending on population. Voters have a single non- transferable vote. The Meshrano Jirga or House of the Elders consists of 102 members. One- third of the members were appointed by the president, while another third was elected by the provincial councils. Elections for the provincial councils were held simultaneously with those for the Wolesi Jirga. The remaining third is supposed to be elected by district councils. However, elections for the district councils have been postponed, meaning that one-third of the seats in the Meshrano Jirga will be vacant when it assembles. The next election of the members of the Wolesi Jirga is due on 18 September 2010 (postponed from 22 May 2010). The registration of candidates is open from January 23 till February 6. Reflecting to the disputed previous presidential election, in December 2009 representatives of donor nations expressed worries and even suggested that the polls should be postponed. Since the violence and the accusations of fraud that accompanied the 2009 election, another round of voting could do more harm than good. The planned election might lead to a new campaign of violence by the Taliban to intimidate voters. U.S. Congressmen visiting Kabul that month also urged President Karzai to delay until electoral reforms were in place. Otherwise, Afghanistan could risk

American financial support. Karzai insisted that the elections had to be held in On January 24, 2010, the election authorities in Afghanistan decided to postponed the elections until September 18, 2010, due to "security concerns, logistical problems, and insufficient funds".

3. Methods of selection of key officials.

District governors are appointed by the President. Wolesi and Meshrano Jirga members are elected.

4. Biographical sketches of key officials.

District Governor - ?????– No Further Information Available

Deputy District Governor –

Chief of Police –.

National Directorate of Security – Chief Khushal Atikhan – He has personally spoken at mosques exhorting the population to support their popularly elected government.

Wolesi Jirga Members

Haji Dad Mohammad Khan – Nuristani Male - Associated with Jamiat (Qanooni) and Hazrat Ali. Former Commander (28th Div)

Hawa Alam Nooristani – Pashtun Female – Has a B.A. in Journalism. Attacked shortly before elections. Prior Pashto-language news presenter for Afghan state TV. Prior clerk in Ministry of Women’s Affairs. 20 years of experience in journalism.

Meshrano Jirga Members

Al-haj Shair Mohammad Nuristani – Nuristani Male

Noorullah Ma’amar – Nuristani Male – Associated with Hamnazar

Provincial Council Members

C. Structure of Government at Other Levels.

1. Sub-Districts.

????? District:

Name of District governor:

Name of Education head:

Name of Security Commander:

Number of police including ? officers: ?? Number of Arbaki militias: ??

??? District:

District Governor:

National Security Chief:

Criminal Department Head:

Head of Education:

Police Chief:

Number of Police including ? Police officers: ??

???? District:

Name of District Governor:

Name of Head of Education:

Name of Security Commander:

Number of Policemen including ? Police officers: ??

Number of Arbaki Militias:

???? District:

Police chief:

???? District:

District Governor:

Education Head:

Name of District Police chief:

Number of Police including ? police officers: ??

National Security Chief:

PRT Laghman, MADERA, IHSA and RRD are working on different projects in this area.

????? District:

District Governor of

District Security Commander:

Number of Police including officers:

Number of Arbaki Militias:

Head of Education:

There are many primary schools and one Middle school with no proper building. Swedish Committee of Afghanistan supports the health facility as Basic Health center.

??? district:

.

Name of District governor:

Security Commander:

Number of Police including ? Police officers:

Head of Education:

D. Armed Forces.

1. Historical background.

Upon becoming president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai set a goal of an army of 70,000 men by 2009. By January, 2003 just over 1,700 soldiers in five kandaks (Pashtun for battalion) had completed the 10-week training course, and by June 2003 a total of 4,000 troops had been trained. Initial recruiting problems lay in the lack of cooperation from regional warlords and inconsistent international support. The problem of desertion dogged the force in its early days: in the summer of 2003, the desertion rate was estimated to be ten percent and in mid-March, 2004 estimate suggested that 3,000 soldiers had deserted.

Soldiers in the new army initially received $30 a month during training and $50 a month upon graduation, though pay for trained soldiers has since risen to $120. Some recruits were under 18 years of age and many could not read or write. Recruits who spoke only Pashto experienced difficulty because instruction was given through interpreters who spoke Farsi.

Growth continued, however, and the ANA had expanded to 5,000 trained soldiers by July of 2003. That month, approximately 1,000 ANA soldiers were deployed in the U.S-led Operation Warrior Sweep, marking the first major combat operation for Afghan troops.

2. Organization, size, and mission.

a. Army

Personnel strength

As of May 2009, total manpower is over 90,000 personnel with 100,000 expected by August 2009. Facilities and capacity planning efforts are rapidly adjusting to the significant increases in national recruiting efforts to meet manpower needs. A further proposal for expansion to 134,000 was announced in October 2008. This was modified to a five year goal of 260,000 Afghan troops by President Obama and is supported by the Afghan Defense Ministry.

The Battalion

The basic unit in the Afghan National Army is the Kandak (Battalion), consisting of 600 troops. Although the vast majority is infantry, at least one mechanized and one tank Battalion have been formed; more may be planned. An elite special forces unit modelled on the U.S. Army Rangers is also being formed. Every ANA Corps will be assigned an ANA Commando Battalion with the sixth designated as a special national unit under the Afghan Defense Ministry's purview.

As of September 2005, 28 of the 31 Afghan National Army Battalions were ready for combat operations and many had already participated in them. At least nine brigades are planned at this time, each consisting of six battalions. By March 1, 2007, half of the planned army of 70,000 ANA soldiers had been achieved with 46 of the planned 76 Afghan battalions operating in the fore or in concert with NATO forces. The size and limits of the ANA were specified in the Bonn II Agreement, signed in 2002. This agreement called for the establishment of the ANA and formal development of Afghan forces under NATO doctrine.

Brigades

A total of 14 brigades that will primarily be regionally oriented are planned for 2008. According to Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan (CSTC-A) thirteen of these brigades are

to be light infantry, one will be mechanized and one will be commando.

Corps

Currently the Afghan National Army maintains seven Corps. Originally, the four outlying Corps were assigned one or two brigades, with the majority of the manpower of the army based in Kabul's 201st Corps. This was superseded by a buildup in which each corps added extra brigades. Establishment of the corps started when four regional corps commanders and some of their staff were appointed on 1 September 2004.

Five serve as regional commands for the ANA:

201st Corps (Kabul) - 1st Brigade is at the Presidential Palace. 3rd Brigade, at Pol-e-Chakri, is to be a mechanised formation including M-113s and Soviet-built main battle tanks. Later information from LongWarJournal.com places most of the 3rd Brigade at Jalalabad, 2nd Brigade at Pol-e-Charkhi, and only a single battalion of 1st Brigade at the Presidential Palace. The Corps is charged with operation in eastern Afghanistan, including Kabul, Logar, Kapisa, Konar, and Laghman. It’s battlespace includes the Afghan capital of Kabul as well as vital routes running north and south, and valleys leading from the Pakistani border into Afghanistan. Currently the 3rd Brigade of the 201st Corps is the only unit that has control of an area of responsibility in Afghanistan without the aid or assistance of U.S. or coalition forces.

203rd Corps (Gardez) - On 19 Oct 06, as part of Operation Mountain Fury, two Embedded Training Team members mentored and advised a D30 artillery section from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 203rd Corps, to conduct the first indirect artillery fire missions during combat operations with harassment and indirect fires. Three days later, they successfully conducted counterfire (with assistance from a US Q-36 radar) that resulted with ten enemy casualties, the highest casualties inflicted from indirect artillery fire in ANA history.] The corps is supported by the Gardez Regional Support Squadron of the ANAAC, equipped with 8 helicopters: 4 transport to support the Corps' commando battalion, 2 attack, and two medical transport.

205th Corps (Kandahar) - The Corps has the responsibility for the provinces of Kandahar, Zabul, and Oruzgan. It consists of four brigades, a commando battalion and three garrisons. The Corps has integrated artillery and air lift capacity, supplied by a growing Kandahar Wing of the ANAAC.

207th Corps (Herat) - 1st Brigade at Herat, 2nd Brigade at Farah, and elements at Shindand (including commandos). The corps is supported by the Herat Regional Support Squadron of the ANAAC, equipped with 8 helicopters: 4 transport to support the Corps' commando battalion, 2 attack, and two medical transport.

209th Corps (Mazari Sharif) - Works closely with the German-led Regional Command North , and has 1st Brigade at Mazar-i-Sharif and, it appears, a 2nd Brigade forming at Kunduz. An Army Corps of Engineers solicitation for Kunduz headquarters facilities for the 2nd Brigade was issued in March 2008. The corps is supported by the Mazar-i-Sharif Regional Support Squadron of the ANAAC, equipped with 8 helicopters: 4 transport to support the Corps' commando battalion, 2 attack, and two medical transport.

215th Corps (Lashkar Gah) - The Afghan government has approved a new seventh corps of the Afghan National Army — Corps 215 Maiwand — to be based in the Helmand capital of Lashkar Gah where the first fresh U.S. troops are expected to arrive

The sixth Corps is the Afghan National Air Corps, which is the old Afghan Air Force. Plans exist to separate this Corps again and reclaim the old Afghan Air Force role as a separate branch of the Afghan military.

Due at least in part to its close cooperation with, and monitoring by, US forces the Afghan National Army has, unlike the Afghan National Police, been relatively unaffected by corruption. In late 2008 it was announced that the 201st Corps' former area of responsibility would be divided, with a Capital Division being formed in Kabul and the Corps concentrating its effort further forward along the border. The new division, designated

the 111th Capital Division, became operational on April 21, 2009.

Commandos

ANA commandos

In July 2007 the Afghan army graduated its first commandos. The commandos underwent a grueling three month course being trained by American special forces. They received training in advanced infantry skills as well as training in first aid and tactical driving. They are fully equipped with US equipment and have received US style training. The new Afghan commandos are the most elite branch of the rising Afghan Army. By the end of 2008 the six ANA commando battalions will be stationed in the southern region of Afghanistan assisting the Canadian forces. There are also female soldiers being trained. The first female Afghan parachutist Khatol Mohammadzai, trained under the Soviets, became the first female general in the Afghan National Army on 19 August 2002. Afghan commandos are expected to increase significantly in number by 2011, when the army will double in size. They will also receive more advanced equipment from NATO. NATO hopes that elite Afghan commando units can help in the fight against the Taliban, especially around the mountainous Durand Line border region.

Paramilitary forces. Political control and effectiveness.

3. General military policy.

4. International treaties.

5. Foreign influence.

6. Military establishment and the national economy. Defense budget. 1.9% GDP (2006 Est.) Military pay.

7. Quality and source of manpower. Key officers and qualifications. Recruitment.

Conscription. Reserves.

Training.

Members of the coalition forces in Afghanistan have undertaken different responsibilities in the creation of the ANA. All these various efforts are managed on the Coalition side by Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan (CSTC-A), a two-star level multi-national command headquartered in downtown Kabul. On the ANA side, as of July 2006 all training and education in the Army is managed and implemented by the newly-formed Afghan National Army Training Command (ANATC), a two-star command which reports directly to the Chief of the General Staff. All training centers and military schools are under ANATC HQ. The coalition forces are partnered with the ANA to mentor and support formal training through Task Force Phoenix. This program was formalized in April 2003, based near the Kabul Military Training Center coordinating collective and individual training, mentoring, and Coalition Force support.

Each ANA HQ above battalion level has an embedded Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) of NATO trainers and mentors acting as liaisons between ANA and ISAF. The OMLTs co-ordinate operational planning and ensure that the ANA units receive enabling support.

Individual basic training is conducted primarily by Afghan National Army instructors and staff at ANATC's Kabul Military Training Center, situated on the eastern edge of the capital. The ANA are still supported, however, with various levels of CSTC-A oversight, mentorship, and assistance. The US military assists in the basic and advanced training of enlisted recruits, and also runs the Drill Instructor School which produces new training NCOs for the basic training courses.

A French army advisory team oversees the training of officers for staff and platoon or company command in a combined commissioning/infantry officer training unit called the Officer Training Brigade, also located at Kabul Military Training Center. OTB candidates in the Platoon and Company Command courses are usually older former militia and mujaheddin 'officers' with various levels of military experience.

The United Kingdom also conducts initial infantry officer training and commissioning at the Officer Candidate School. While OCS is administratively under OTB's control, it is kept functionally separate.

OCS candidates are young men with little or no military experience. The British Army also conduct initial and advanced Non-Commissioned Officer training as well in a separate NCO Training Brigade.

The Canadian Forces supervises the Combined Training Exercise portion of initial military training, where trainee soldiers, NCOs, and officers are brought together in field training exercises at the platoon, company and (theoretically) battalion levels to certify them ready for field operations. In the Regional Corps, line ANA battalions have attached Coalition Embedded Training Teams that continue to mentor the battalion's leadership, and advise in the areas of intelligence, communications, fire support, logistics and infantry tactics.

Formal education and professional development is currently conducted at two main ANATC schools, both in Kabul. The National Military Academy of Afghanistan, located near Kabul International Airport, is a four-year military university, which will produce degreed second lieutenants in a variety of military professions. NMAA's first cadet class entered its second academic year in spring 2006. A contingent of US and Turkish military instructors jointly mentor the NMAA faculty and staff. The Command and General Staff College, located in southern Kabul, prepares mid-level ANA officers to serve on brigade and corps staffs. France established the CGSC in early 2004, and a cadre of French Army instructors continues to oversee operations at the school. A National Defense University will also be established at a potential site in northwestern Kabul. Eventually all initial officer training (to include the NMAA) as well as the CGSC will be re-located to the new NDU facility.

Mobilization plans.

8. Logistics.

9. Weapons and equipment.

Small Arms

AK47 Rifle AK74 Rifle

M16A2 Rifle

RPK LMG

Tanks

T-55 Tank T-62 Tank

Armoured Vehicles(800+)

BMP-1 ICV BTR-80 APC

M113 APC

Humvee (213 in service)

Other Vehicles

4 1/2 ton trucks (50+) 2 1/2 ton trucks (100+)

Jeeps (120+)

Ambulances (15+)

Other Technicals of various origins.

Heavy Arms

Dragunov SVD sniper rifle PK series MGs

RPG-7 Anti-tank weapon

Browning M2 heavy MG

SPG-9 Recoiless Rifle

82mm Medium Mortar

D-30 122mm Howitzer

M114 155mm Howitzer

10. Ranks, uniforms, and insignia.

11. Loyalty and morale factors.

12. Military justice.

E. Political Parties.

Jamiat-e Islami (Islamic Society of Afghanistan) – Led by former Prime Minister Burhanuddin Rabbani. It is predominately a Tajik political party which was active in the anti-Soviet jihad and a major political player in the Northern Alliance. Today Rabbani supports Karzai. Yunus Qanuni’s Hezb-e Afghanistan Naween broke away from Jamiat-e Islami. The party is particularly popular in Wama and Parun districts. According to Altai surveys it comes in at 18% of the province.

Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin (HiG) - The party of former Mujahed and Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, HiG was famous for its shifting loyalties, and was the favorite party of Pakistan’s ISI until the rise of the Taliban. Former members continue to wield considerable influence in the province. According to Altai surveys it comes in at 8% of the province. The Kanta tribal chief, Hajji Ghafour, is a former HiG commander.

Ittihad-e Islami (Sayyaf) - This fundamental party is under the guidance of one Abdul Rasool Sayyaf, and has been since the anti-Soviet campaign. Despite ideological and cultural similarities with the Taliban, Sayyaf did not join them (for personal reasons) and went with the Northern Alliance. He follows strict Wahhabi interpretations of Islam, and is not known for tolerance. In the past this party has been known for its foreign supporters and followers; the former often Arab, the latter from places as diverse as the Southern Philippines, Chechnya, and Bosnia. In February 1993 government forces and members of the Ittihad-e Islami massacred over 700 Hazara in the Afshar district of West Kabul.

Hamnazar - One of the most important parties of the Meshrano Jirga, Hamnazar (Alliance) mainly consists of pro-Karzai MPs, who are Western sympathizers. The group numbers some thirty parliamentarians and is led by Amin Zai. A doctor by profession, he is closely allied with Karzai who strongly supported him for this position.

F. International Affairs.

1. Agencies.

2. Foreign relations.

3. Relations with intergovernmental organizations and nongovernmental organizations.

III. CULTURAL RELATIONS

A. General conditions and problems. B. Cultural Affairs.

1. Religions in the area.

Islam

National. Organized. Unorganized (sects). Relations among religions and religious leaders, indigenous and missionary.

2. Clergy. Number, location, and education of clergymen. Influence of religious leaders.

3. Religious beliefs.

Sunnis: Meaning "traditionalists", Sunnis are the most dominant sect of Islam, comprising about 87% of Muslims worldwide. Sunnis are united in their belief "in the legitimacy of the first three caliphs(successors to Muhammad) Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman, and their strict adherence to the Sunna . Within the Sunnis, there are further divisions into the four schools of faith varying in their strictness of interpreting how the Prophet lived. These are:

a. Hanabalites : the strictest school, they are usually located in Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.

b. Malikhites : rigorous but allow supplementary laws aside from those of the prophet. They are usually found in North Africa and the Sudan.

c. Hanafites : less rigorous and located in Turkey, India, and parts of China.

d. Shafiites : the least rigorous of the four schools and usually found in the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, Indonesia, and Egypt.

1) Major tenets of each religion, including such concepts as—

The Five Pillars of Islam (Arabic: اإلسالم are five practices (أركانessential to Sunni Islam. Shi'a Muslims subscribe to different sets of pillars which substantially overlap with the Five Pillars.

The Five Pillars of Islam are:

a) The shahadah, which is the basic creed or tenet of Islam that must be recited under an oath with the following specific statement: "'ašhadu 'al-lā ilāha illā-llāhu wa 'ašhadu 'anna muħammadan rasūlu-llāh", or "I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." This testament is a foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. Muslims must repeat the shahadah in prayer, and non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam are required to recite the creed.

b) Salah , or ritual prayer, which must be performed five times a day. Each salah is done facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca. Salah is intended to

focus the mind on God, and is seen as a personal communication with him that expresses gratitude and worship. Salah is compulsory but flexibility in the specifics is allowed depending on circumstances. In many Muslim countries, reminders called Adhan (call to prayer) are broadcast publicly from local mosques at the appropriate times. The prayers are recited in the Arabic language, and consist of verses from the Qur'an.

c) Sawm , or fasting during the month of Ramadan. Muslims must not eat or drink (among other things) from dawn to dusk during this month, and must be mindful of other sins. The fast is to encourage a feeling of nearness to God, and during it Muslims should express their gratitude for and dependence on him, atone for their past sins, and think of the needy. Sawm is not obligatory for several groups for whom it would constitute an undue burden. For others, flexibility is allowed depending on circumstances, but missed fasts usually must be made up quickly. Some Muslim groups do not fast during Ramadan, and instead have fasts at different times of the year.

d) Zakat , or alms-giving. This is the practice of giving based on accumulated wealth, and is obligatory for all Muslims who can afford it. A fixed portion is spent to help the poor or needy, and also to assist the spread of Islam. The zakat is considered a religious obligation (as opposed to voluntary charity) that the well-off owe to the needy because their wealth is seen as a "trust from God's bounty". The Qur'an and the hadith also suggest a Muslim give even more as an act of voluntary alms-giving (sadaqah).

e) The Hajj, which is the pilgrimage during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the city of Mecca. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime. When the pilgrim is about ten kilometers from Mecca, he must dress in Ihram clothing, which consists of two white seamless sheets. Rituals of the Hajj include walking seven times around the Kaaba, touching the black stone if possible, walking or running seven times between Mount Safa and Mount Marwah, and symbolically stoning the Devil in Mina. The pilgrim, or the hajji, is honored in his or her community, although Islamic teachers say that the Hajj should be an expression of devotion to God instead of a means to gain social standing.

2) Law

The Sharia (literally: "the path leading to the watering place") is Islamic law formed by traditional Islamic scholarship, which most Muslim groups adhere to. In Islam, Sharia is the expression of the divine will, and "constitutes a system of duties that are incumbent upon a Muslim by virtue of his religious belief".

Islamic law covers all aspects of life, from matters of state, like governance and foreign relations, to issues of daily living. The Qur'an defines hudud as the punishments for five specific crimes: unlawful intercourse, false accusation of unlawful intercourse, consumption of alcohol, theft, and highway robbery. The Qur'an and Sunnah also contain laws of inheritance, marriage, and restitution for injuries and murder, as well as rules for fasting, charity, and prayer. However, these prescriptions and prohibitions may be broad, so their application in practice varies. Islamic scholars (known as ulema) have elaborated systems of law on the basis of these rules and their interpretations.

Fiqh, or "jurisprudence", is defined as the knowledge of the practical rules of the religion. The method Islamic jurists use to derive rulings is known as usul al-fiqh ("legal theory", or "principles of jurisprudence"). According to Islamic legal theory, law has four fundamental roots, which are given precedence in this order: the Qur'an, the Sunnah (actions and sayings of Muhammad), the consensus of the Muslim jurists (ijma), and analogical reasoning (qiyas). For early Islamic jurists, theory was less important than pragmatic application of the law. In the 9th century, the jurist ash-Shafi'i provided a theoretical basis for Islamic law by codifying the principles of jurisprudence (including the four fundamental roots) in his book ar-Risālah.

3) Religion and state

Mainstream Islamic law does not distinguish between "matters of church" and "matters of state"; the ulema function as both jurists and theologians. In practice, Islamic rulers frequently bypassed the Sharia courts with a parallel system of so-called "Grievance courts" over which they had sole control. As the Muslim world came into contact with Western secular ideals, Muslim societies responded in different ways. Turkey has been governed as a secular state ever since the reforms of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In contrast, the 1979 Iranian Revolution replaced a mostly secular regime with an Islamic republic led by the Ayatollah Khomeini.

4) Etiquette and diet

Many practices fall in the category of adab, or Islamic etiquette. This includes greeting others with "as-salamu `alaykum" ("peace be unto you"), saying bismillah ("in the name of God") before meals, and using only the right hand for eating and drinking. Islamic hygienic practices mainly fall into the category of personal cleanliness and health, such as the circumcision of male offspring. Islamic burial rituals include saying the Salat al-Janazah ("funeral prayer") over the bathed and enshrouded dead body, and burying it in a grave. Muslims are restricted in their diet. Prohibited foods include pork products, blood, carrion, and alcohol. All meat must come from a herbivorous animal slaughtered in the name of God by a Muslim, Jew, or Christian, with the exception of game that one has hunted or fished for oneself. Food permissible for Muslims is known as halal food.

5) Jihad

Jihad means "to strive or struggle" (in the way of God) and is considered the "Sixth Pillar of Islam" by a minority of Sunni Muslim authorities. Jihad, in its broadest sense, is classically defined as "exerting one's utmost power, efforts, endeavors, or ability in contending with an object of disapprobation." Depending on the object being a visible enemy, the devil, and aspects of one's own self, different categories of Jihad are defined. Jihad, when used without any qualifier, is understood in its military aspect. Jihad also refers to one's striving to attain religious and moral perfection. Some Muslim authorities, especially among the Shi'a and Sufis, distinguish between the "greater jihad", which pertains to spiritual self-perfection, and the "lesser jihad", defined as warfare.

Within Islamic jurisprudence, jihad is usually taken to mean military exertion against non-Muslim combatants in the defense or expansion of the Islamic state, the ultimate purpose of which is to universalize Islam. Jihad, the only form of warfare permissible in Islamic law, may be declared against apostates, rebels, highway robbers, violent groups, un-Islamic leaders or states which refuse to submit to the authority of Islam. Most Muslims today interpret Jihad as only a defensive form of warfare: the external Jihad includes a struggle to make the Islamic societies conform to the Islamic norms of justice.

Under most circumstances and for most Muslims, jihad is a collective duty (fard kifaya): its performance by some individuals exempts the others. Only for those vested with authority, especially the sovereign

(imam), does jihad become an individual duty. For the rest of the populace, this happens only in the case of a general mobilization. For most Shias, offensive jihad can only be declared by a divinely appointed leader of the Muslim community, and as such is suspended since Muhammad al-Mahdi's occultation in 868 AD.

(a) Faith.

(b) Impact of faith on life.

(c) Concept of the hereafter.

(d) Means of salvation.

(e) Rites of cleaning and purification.

(f) Impact of religions on value systems.

(g) Degree of religious conviction in lives of indigenous populace.

4. Worship. Forms and significance of worship of each religion. Places of worship. Frequency of worship.

5. Relationship between religion and motivation of indigenous people.

6. Relationship between religion and transcultural communication.

7. Socioeconomic influence of religion.

a. Influence of religions on society.

b. Economic influence of religions.

(1) Religious ownership of property and other possessions.

(2) Teachings of religions about private property.

8. Interrelation with government. Relationship of religious leaders and government officials. Role of religions and religious leaders in armed forces. Political influence of religious leaders.

9. Religious schools. Location, size, and attendance. Influence. Relationship to nonsecular schools.

C. Arts, Monuments, and Archives.

1. Description of conditions of the arts and monuments.

2. Advancements over the past 10 years.

3. Influence of outside countries.

4. Arts.

a. Location, type, use, and significance of the fine arts.

b. Population attitude toward art treasures.

c. Government policies and agencies dealing with the arts.

d. Agencies through which arts are performed.

(1) Private.

(2) Government.

5. Advancements in science.

6. Artists’ organizations and government control.

7. Monuments. Location of historic monuments and sites. Present significance of historic monuments and sites.

8. Archives.

a. Location of archives.

b. Varieties of archives.

(1) Public archives.

(2) Semipublic archives.

(3) Ecclesiastical archives.

(4) Private or family archives.

c. Contents or category of archives.

(1) Historical.

(2) Current documents.

IV. CIVILIAN SUPPLY

A. General Conditions and Problems (Peculiarities of climate and geography that might influence civilian supply).

Paktia is located in the rugged mountains and is in the highest elevations in the Hindu Kush mountain range which leads up to the Himalayan Mountains in northeastern Afghanistan. Paktia is well covered with trees and roads are being built, and power lines are being restored; donkeys are the only means of transporting goods in and out of Nuristan.

The region is fortunate to lie far enough east to benefit from precipitation from the fringes of the Indian summer monsoon. Heavy poppy trafficking is pervasive during the summer which makes the trails unsafe due to Talibans. Winter months, these mountains are impassable.

I rrigation occurs on small terraced fields that are laboriously constructed by filling to horizontal behind stone walls. Because rainfall is insufficient, the fields are watered by a complicated system of open channels and wooden aqueducts (ie. hollowed-out logs) leading from the rivers or, more commonly, from the tributary streams. The wooden aqueducts are technically and aesthetically admirable, having been constructed by skillful craftsmen.

Agriculture: Agriculture traditionally has been the foundation of Afghanistan’s economy, employing as much as 80 percent of the workforce and contributing at least half of the gross domestic product (GDP). Because of the poor quality of most agricultural land, subsistence agriculture predominates. Although many displaced Afghan farmers returned to their land in the early 2000s, land mines and the destruction of irrigation systems had made much agricultural land unusable.

Livestock raising is a vital part of the agricultural economy, was similarly affectedas grazing land disappeared. The drought of 1999–2002 devastated the rural population and further reduced all types of agricultural output. The nomadic Kuchis were forced to find sedentary occupations. Because of limited water supplies, in the early 2000s half ofAfghanistan’s arable land was uncultivated. Beginning in 2003, agricultural output increased because of international aid and increased rainfall, except in the south where

the drought continued into 2004. The area under cultivation rose significantly in 2004: the area decreased by 21 percent in 2005, but productivity increased. With increased rainfall, 2006 output again increased, but delays in the restoration of irrigation systems hampered the reclaiming of additional agricultural land.

B. Storage, Refrigeration, and Processing Facilities. 1. Storage space, available and required.

a. Food. Major Crops: Maize, Wheat, Millet and Pulses, Vegetables, Beans, Grapes, Rice, Barley, Corn, and Potatoes. Commodities: cotton, sugar, sesame, tobacco, and olives. Produced in minimal villages. Mulberries, apricots, pomegranates, grapes, apples, figs, jujubes, pears, peaches, and persimmons. Nut crops include walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, hazelnuts, and edible apricot seeds. Dried mulberries and apricots also are produced in surplus in some communities. Walnut production was a major source of income for the Paktikans before the Soviet-Afghan War, but in the war’s aftermath market production of walnuts declined. Development project are just beginning to upgrade Paktikan’s horticultural potential.b. Other supplies.

1) Pulses, Oil, WSB/CSB, HEB, Poppy, Tobacco 2) Livestock: Cows, Small Zebu-like Oxen, Goats and Sheep

- People produce cheese, Butter, Milk. Cow’s milk is the most valuable product of livestock raisin- Cattle breeding, men’s business

2. Refrigeration, available and required. No information was found.a. Food. Electricity is limitedb. Other supplies. NONEc. Distribution Channels. Roads are unimproved and no transportation to access; trail is limited to donkey’s for delivering food, clothing and other essential durables. d. Dietary and Clothing Requirements and Customs.

1) Food. Pork 2) Clothing.

3) Customs that might influence civilian supply. There is a strict division of labor; men and women have very different roles. A man will not normally engage in ’women’s work’ any more than a woman will normally have anything to do with ’men’s work’. This division of labor exactly matches the main spheres of the Paktikan economy: livestock herding (men’s work) and grain production or irrigated terraces (women’s work).

e. Production Excesses and Shortages. Forests provide economic opportunities for woodworking and crafts.

V. LEGAL.A. System of Laws.

1. Civil and criminal codes. a. Origins. Paktika is lacking security data, but is known as one of the most insecure provinces of the country due to difficulties of transportation, lack of facilities, and shortages of government personnel. Civil and criminal codes rely on traditional community decision-making and tribal customs for governance. A few areas are under the political influence of powerful clerics. The province's border with Pakistan makes it a historical transit point for insurgents, if not a central base for the Taliban. Insurgent and criminal groups are also rife in Nuristan, including Lashkar-e-Toiba, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezb-e-Islami militia and a paramilitary led by Maulvi Afzal. b. Procedures. Authority and power in Afghanistan is concentrated in the national government as a means to counter the power of warlords in the provinces. As such, the provincial government is limited to an advisory role for the central government, while decisions on everything from policies to funding priorities are made in Kabul.c. Penalties. None

2. Political crimes. Security is the major issue in Paktia today. Three types of conflict pose problems; the jihadist insurgency, inter-community disputes, and violations of Paktia lands and resources by intruders. Nuristan attempts to adhere to traditional democracy, but they are intimidated by the hooded insurgent thugs who come in the night to enforce the clerics’edicts. Traditional practices of leadership and governance, which have served the Paktians well for so long, cannot flourish as long as the jihadist clerics and insurgency are active. Political crimes are in the Poppy production. The increased level of violence outside of the usual “fighting season” was due in part to an ISAF decision to deny insurgents respite and to aggressively pursue them in their winter enclaves. Unseasonably warm conditions also facilitated higher levels of insurgent activity during the late winter and early spring.

B. Administration of Justice.1. Historical development. After 30 years of strife—in Soviet occupation, civil war and the coercive repression of Taliban rule—Afghan men and women are building a government committed to the democratic rule of law and the full exercise of human rights. To preserve and pursue the progress made, Afghanistan relies on others for support.2. Agencies (national and local). Arbaki Militias and Police. General ????Asil khan Totakhel3. Courts and tribunals (types of jurisdiction [including administrative tribunals]). Provincial Court; Mawlawi Enayatullah (Mazhabyar) Head, Mawlawi Musa Madani (Deputy Head) 4. Judicial procedures. None

5. Personnel. Pashtuns make up the majority of the population of this province. Nuristan is extremely poor and ridden with violent ethnic and economic conflicts.

a. Judiciary. Noneb. Prosecutors. Attorney/prosecution; ?????c. The Bar. Noned. Legal training. Nonee. Political controls. None

VI. PUBLIC SAFETY

A. General Conditions and Problems ( primary consideration in this area is whether the existing institutional[police, fire, and penal] may be used to carry out the combat commander’s primary mission and to provide the day-to-day control and bodily protection of the local population).

DISTRIC PICTURE HERE

General Level of Security: Moderate

Despite being an active component in the fight against the communists in 1978, Paktia has traditionally had a quiet reputation, although this seems to be changing. Isolated and difficult to traverse, Paktia is a fugitive’s dream.

The Taliban and Hekmatyar’s Hizb-e Islami (HiG) are both operating in the province, having some experience there, and foreigners may be hiding there with their assistance. With back-door access to Pakistan’s Chitral area across mountain passes and hunting trails, Paktia has seen Taliban activity for some time. Thankfully, Nuristan has one of the highest levels of police per capita of all Afghanistan, although there have been problems ensuring said police are paid. Infrastructure is essentially nonexistent, and the population is concentrated in certain valleys, leaving much of the territory empty, ungoverned space. Both the Taliban and HiG use strategically located districts as rear positions for operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Conflict between tribes is minimal, although blood-feuds have been known to go on for the better part of a century.

Moderate Risk ????? districts.

Significant Risk: ????? districts.

The districts of primary concern are:

??????

Public attitudes toward security: On average, ??% of the province feels the security situation is “bad” (highest in ??? District at ??%) and??% feel unsafe. ?% of the populous feels the ANA abuses their power, and ??% believe the ANP does; in both cases the worst perceptions exist in Parun.

Public attitudes toward FF: Paktiase opinion of Foreign Forces, ??% of the province believing that FF do not bring security. ??% of the province actually believes they bring insecurity, as ??% believe FF to be unfair, ??% believe they’re poorly trained, and ??% believe FF under-equipped.

Public attitudes toward Taliban: Despite low reporting numbers, indicators paint a different picture; namely that there is a larger Taliban influence and presence than reported. Only ??% of the province reports a Taliban presence (highest in ????l District at ?%), and ??% of the province reports having no fear of the Taliban (the Taliban is most feared in ???l District by //% of the population). Even worse, there is an extremely high level of belief in Taliban missives at ??% (highest in ??? at ??%). Al Jazeera still commands the largest broadcast audience).

B. Police System.1. Organization at all levels.

a. Types of police forces and criminal investigative agencies:Nuristan has ANP and Police chiefs for all the districts, and local milias to help out ANP, but no investigative agencies

b. Organization:The ANP of each district report to a provincial police station with a provincial chief who is General ???????l and he sends his reports to MOI(Ministry of Interior)

c. Areas of responsibility and jurisdiction:Each district police chief has jurisdiction and responsible of his district, and the provincial Chief (General ??????????l) has jurisdiction and is responsibility for the whole province.

d. Chain of commandMOI (Ministry of Interior)

Provincial Chief (General Asil tuta khail)

District Chiefs

Militas

e. Names and biographical sketches of key personnelProvincial Chief (General ??????????) a pashtun born in 19?? he received training at

District Chiefs: name and Bio

N/A

2. Equipment:a. Arms and special equipment

AK-47s, PKMs, RPKs, Russian pistols American made S@Ws 9mm RPGs limited supply, militas also have same types of weapons minus S@Ws. Limited supply of ammo, and rockets for RPGs

b. Modern crime-fighting equipment N/Ac. Traffic control equipment N/Ad. Riot control equipment N/Ae. Police communication- Main radio for Province Stationf. Transportation- Russian jeep very few/ Ford Ranger pick-up truck,

walking, donkey3. Personnel:

a. Strength- the strength of the police varies from district to districtthe district uses also the local militia of the village to help out, but it varies from strength between 8 and 14 police officers and 50 militia soldiers.

b. Method of selection: the police officers in theory should go to theacademy in the province(run by dyncorps) but that for the most part does not happen, and they are selected because they know someone or their social status in the village, the militias are their own thing and are just random people from the village

c. Reliability- semi reliable depends are who they are fightingd. Morale and state of training- In theory should go to the academy run by

dyncorps to be trained, in reality a lot are not trained at all, to your face they say they have ok morale(maybe), but are frustrated because they are not getting paid, and in their view not getting paid enough and feel they are outgunned and not supported.

e. Promotion basis- your social status in the village and who you know

4. Functions and authority: a. Criminal action- get acted by the Taliban and criminal groups

b. Civil ordinances- they do enforce civil ordinance but a usually are

very busy just trying to fend off the Taliban

c. Disorder and disaster control- they are like the keep order in the

villages for the most part, but also are fighting like the ANA

(Afghan National Army)

5. Police regulations that differ from US concept of law and ordera. General- they follow the Afghan govt law(maybe, but also deal a lot in

tribal law, which the US does not have (tribal law)b. Identification system- they have an ID card if they have gone to

the academy, so lots don’t have ID cards.

c. Restrictions on travel, gatherings and curfews- N/Ad. Restrictions on ownership of firearms- every afghan can have an AK in

their house.6. Miscellaneous:

a. Other methods of enforcing law and order, such as the influence of family ties, and role of the military- the elders still have a lot of say in how the village is run, and it is still a very tribal society, and family and tribal law rule it.

b. Psychological effect on the local population- the Taliban uses a a lot of scare tactics in certain districts, to make the people loose trust in the police or afghan government.

C. Penal Institutions:

1. National and local

a. Prisons and jails(number, location, and capacity).

Jails are mostly an empty house or building can hold up to about

30 persons depends on the district, but some districts may not

even have a jail or know what to do with people in the jail.

c. Concentration camps and labor camps( number, location, and Capacity)- N/A

2. Organization- ANP/N/A3. Government agency exercising control- ANP/ MOI4. Inmate breakdown

a. Political (reliability and future use in the US cause)- N/Ab. Criminal- mostly criminal in jailsc. Juvenile- N/Ad. Sex- Males for the most part

5. Adequacy(sanitary and health conditions)- Terrible conditions6. Treatment of prisoners- N/A sit in cell

7. Probation- N/A8. Parole- N/A

D. Fire Protection:7. Organization (at general, the same as for the police). N/A bucket

Brigade

8. Equipment- N/Aa. Type, location, and adequacy of existing equipment and facilities. N/Ab. Adaptability of local military firefighting equipment-N/A

9. Personnel:a. Strength and mode of selection. – All the villageb. Training status and efficiency- N/Ac. Names and political reliability of key personnel- N/A

10. Miscellaneous:a. Particular problems in certain areas, such as overcrowded cities,

Narrow streets, and local water pressure.- to rural and remote

b. Possible use of equipment in controlling riots and other public disasters. N/A

VII. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

A. General Conditions and Problems

Paktia, located deep within the Hindu Kush. The mountainous landscape makes Nuristan’s land difficult to cultivate, and many villagers rely on livestock as their source of livelihood. Additionally, forests provide economic opportunities for woodworking and crafts. Women are responsible for crop production in Paktia, while men generally raise livestock.

Traditionally, animal husbandry, subsistence agriculture and forestry have been the main sources of income. Other sources of income are opium, wage labor, food aid and remittances from male family members working outside Paktia, in addition to smuggling of consumer goods and precious stones, and illegal logging.

Most Paktian subsist as farmers and herders but in this remote and difficult to access region where steep, narrow paths challenge even mules and transport is mostly on foot, some of the men are employed by logging or illicit gem mining enterprises. Some logging is legitimate, some not, but all gem extraction is illegal by government restriction. Both are transported beyond the central government’s control through Pakistan, funded by outside entrepreneurs who, as the suppliers of the necessary capital and machinery, reap huge profits that are not fairly shared with local laborers. Gems such as rubies, emeralds, lapis lazuli and tourmalines of a superior quality

known since 5000 BC to Silk Road traders and throughout the world today as well, are the region’s primary resource.

Isolation has proved two-edged: beneficial development has been hindered, leaving Paktia as one of Afghanistan’s most impoverished areas, yet a singular culture and its varying languages has been kept intact.

B. Public Finance

1. Organization

a) National level.

President Hamid Karzai’s cabinet includes both MoE (Minister of Economy) and MoF (Minister of Finance).

b) Other levels

Public Finance is handled through the Afghan Central Banking system. The Afghan National Bank has a branch office in Nuristan, Nuristan.

Each province has a Provincial Development Committee (PDC) which is responsible for overseeing the progress made on implementation of the Provincial Development Plan, and which will lead the provincial development planning process in the future.

The PDC involves all government line departments and other key stakeholder groups involved in development activities in the province. It also has a number of working groups devoted to different sectors, each of which should be chaired by the director of the core responsible line department.

The structure of the PDC and its associated working groups approved by the Ministry of Economy.

As of 2007 there was not a PDP established in Nuristan.

c) Biographical sketches of key personnel.

Afghanistan Minister of Finance: Omar Zakhilwal

Biography currently unavailable.

Afghanistan Minister of Economy: Dr. Mohammad Jalil Shams

Biography currently unavailable.

2. Policies.

a) Fiscal and economic policies. - Unknown

b) Special conditions and policies. - Unknown

c) Accounting systems used. - Unknown

3. Monetary System.

a) Currency.

Introduction of new Afghani currency in 2002; new policy exchanged 1,000 old Afghani for 1 new Afghani. This more stable and less inflated currency reassured the international community and encouraged its delivery of pledged assistance.

b) Reserves or backing of currency.

Afghani currency is backed by the central bank. Afghanistan’s central bank reserves were measured in year 2002 at $200 million USD in gold held by the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank in New York.

c) Issuing authorities.

Afghan Central Bank

d) Stability of currency.

The vision for the Afghan central bank is to provide for monetary stability which will then set a platform to attract foreign investment.

e) Controls. - Unknown

f) Exchange rates.

Afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 50 (2007), 46 (2006), 47.7 (2005), 48 (2004), 49 (2003)

g) Government authorities.

h) Other legal instruments of exchange. - Unknown

i) Other means of exchange, such as the black market. - Unknown

4. Budgetary system and current budget.

a) Current budget. – Unknown

b) Budgetary analysis. - Unknown

c) Governing authorizes and controls. - Unknown

d) Analysis of budgetary procedures. - Unknown

e) Patterns of expenditure and distribution. - Unknown

5. Sources of government income.

a) Analysis of taxation (amount of taxes collected, method of collection, and type of taxes). - Unknown

b) Formulation of tax policies. - Unknown

c) Investments. - Unknown

d) Other sources of government income. – Foreign Aid.

6. Financial Institutions

a) Banking institutions (facilities, location, capital, and credit policies).

USAID expanded and refurbished the provincial branch of Da Afghanistan Bank in Paktia, implemented an automated Core

Banking System, and provided training for bank staff . The bank operates as the paying agent for the government and disburses all social, payroll, and procurement payments.

b) Investment institutions.

1. Stock institutions. - Unknown

2. Controlling authorities and control exercised. - Unknown

3. Miscellaneous investment companies. - Unknown

c) Insurance companies (number, size, and location). - Unknown

d) Specialized savings institutions - Unknown

7. Foreign exchange (balance of trade, controls, and restrictions). - Unknown

8. Applicable laws and regulations. - Unknown

C. Economics and Commerce

1. Description of economic system.

a) Private enterprise.

Today, like centuries ago, the main occupations of the Paktians are agriculture and sheep and cattle breeding. The majority of commercial activity in Paktia is related to trade in agricultural, timber, gems, drugs and weaponry.

Agriculture and livestock represent sources of income for 88% of households in Paktia province. Eighty percent of rural households own or manage agricultural land or garden plots in the province. One in seven households (14%) earn some income through non-farm related labor

There is very little production of industrial commodities such as – cotton, sugar, sesame, tobacco, olives and sharsham in Paktia..The sector of small industries is dominated by one commodity, honey. In 2005, 68% of households in Paktia reported taking out loans. Of these loans, a significant percentage was used to invest in economic activity such as agricultural inputs (21%).

b) Public enterprise.

In total the government employs ?????? people in Paktia province;

c) Biographical sketches of key officials and business leaders. - Unknown

2. National economic policy and controls. - Unknown

3. Goals and programs.

USAID estimated support to Paktia from January 2002-April 2009: $17.7 million

a) Short-range.

Improving market bazaars to increase commerce. Gravelling and drainage improvement will provide a safer, more pleasant shopping experience, leading to increased sales.

b) Intermediate-range. - Unknown

c) Long-range. - Unknown

4. Summary of important trade agreements and extent of participation in world trade.

5. Resources.

a) Natural.

Paktia has significant oil and gas reserves. Unknown whether any efforts underway to tap these reserves.

b) Developed. - Unknown

c) Human.

Estimated Population: ????? (Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Central Statistics Office: Estimated Population of Afghanistan 2008-2009)

d) Self-sufficiency, dependency, substitution. - Unknown

6. Extent of development.

a) Capabilites of infrastructure.

The USAID infrastructure program for Paktikan Province focuses on the construction of water and sanitation facilities while building

the capacity of local workers and supporting the local economy through the use of locally available materials. Constructed or refurbished water and sanitation facilities, installed latrines, and provided hygiene education. These activities increased access to a safe water supply, improving the health of people, livestock, and crops.

The provision of basic infrastructure such as water and sanitation, energy, transport and communications is one of the key elements necessary to provide the building blocks for private sector expansion, equitable economic growth, increased employment and accelerated agricultural productivity. In Paktika province, on average only 2% of households use safe drinking water. Around two-thirds (61%) of households have direct access to their main source of drinking water within their community.

b) Capabilities of industry and power.

Many villages in Paktia have small hydro-electric plants. Reportedly, the electricity is mainly used for lighting and ironing.

c) Capabilities of agriculture.

The soil is rocky and, and cultivable land is scarce. Tiny fieldsare served by a complex system of carefully maintained irrigationcanals. Most of the water comes from melting snow on themountains. Crop rotation and manuring is practised. The growingseason in the south is up to seven months, while in the north it maybe as short as three months.

Women do most of the agricultural work. Wheat and millet aregrown. In recent years, the cultivation of maize has beenexpanding at the cost of millet. Maize is easier to grow, and not soeasily beaten down by rain. Other crops include pumpkins andsquash, red beans, potatoes, lentils, tomatoes, hazelnuts, pine nuts,walnuts, mulberries, grapes, pomegranates, apples and apricots.Men herd the livestock, mainly goats, but also sheep and dairycattle. Large quantities of milk, ghee (a kind of butter) and cheeseare produced. Chickens are raised in and around the homestead.Honey is produced mainly in the southern valleys (Cita, 1986).Both the calendar year and the agricultural year begin in spring,approximately at the vernal equinox when all livestock leave thewinter stables and move into the first pastures. Almost everyvillage in Nuristan has its own calendar, built on the lunar systemand adjusted to local circumstances. The first six months arerelated to agriculture, and the next six months are related to animalhusbandry.

Insufficient agricultural and fertile land, water, inability to expand cash crop production, no alternate sources of income, and poor access to health, education, and markets (especially in the winter) have prevented the majority of people from being able to improve their livelihoods.

The most significant farming constraints experienced by households in 2003 were lack of irrigation water, lack of oxen/traction power, lack ofavailability of farming land, lack of seeds, and lack of credit/cash.

Overall, very few women were involved in agricultural activities, though there were distinct provincial exceptions, such as Nuristan where 72% of women reported to be engaged in agricultural work.

d) Capabilities of service sector. - Unknown

7. Statistics.

a) Per capita (income, savings, consumer spending). - Unknown

b) Aggregate (gross national product, national income).

Afghanistan Gross Domestic Product (Purchasing Power Parity):$22.32 billion (2008 est.); country comparison to the world: 116 $21.58 billion (2007 est.)$19.25 billion (2006 est.)note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Data Source: CIA World Factbook

c) Ratios (unemployment, productivity, occupations).

Afghanistan Unemployment Rate:40% (2008 est.); country comparison to the world: 185 40% (2005 est.)

d) Validity of statistics (when compiled)

8. Internal movement of goods. - Unknown

9. Exports and imports.

a) Type. - Unknown

b) Quantity. - Unknown

c) Market.- Unknown

d) Influence. - Unknown

10. Commerce.

a) Domestic trade.

1. Wholesale and retail distribution system. - Unknown

2. Markets and fairs. - Unknown

3. Weights and measures standards. - Unknown

4. Cooperatives and public markets. - Unknown

b) Foreign trade.

1. Principal items of export and import. - Unknown

2. Tariff system, customs, duties. - Unknown

3. Trade agreements. - Unknown

4. Balance of payments. - Unknown

11. Industries.

a) Location of main industrial centers. - Unknown

b) Names of important companies. - Unknown

c) Labor (skills and distribution). - Unknown

d) Power sources and capacities. - Unknown

e) Manufacturig industries. - Unknown

f) Types (machinery, chemical, textile). - Unknown

g) Locations (Province, city). - Unknown

h) Processing industries (types, locations, and capacities). - Unknown

12. Agencies, institutions, and programs.

a) Government organization.

In total the government employs ?????? people in Paktia province; ??% of these are employees and ??% are contract workers. Of the total government workers ??% are men and ?% are women.

b) Trade associations and chambers of commerce. - Unknown

c) Laws governing commerce and industry. - Unknown

d) Subsidies and monopolies. - Unknown

13. Price control and rationing.

a) Stabilization - Unknown

b) Variation of prices. - Unknown

c) Control measures and techniques.- Unknown

d) Commodities under price control. - Unknown

e) Distribution.

1. Essential commodities. - Unknown

2. Imports and exports. - Unknown

3. Ration controls. - Unknown

4. Production and distribution. - Unknown

5. Effect on demands. - Unknown

6. Types and status of markets. - Unknown

f) Control Systems.

1. Price-Control program. - Unknown

2. Rationing program. - Unknown

3. Raw materials. - Unknown

4. Financial. - Unknown

g) Legislation.

1. Price-control legislation and items subject to price control. - Unknown

2. Rationing legislation and items subject to rationing. - Unknown

D. Labor

1. Organization.

a) National Level. - Unknown

b) Other levels. - Unknown

c) Key personnel with biographical sketches. - Unknown

2. Labor Force.

a) Employment data and trends.

In response to needs identified by community leaders, USAID recently allocated $?????? for development projects over the next s??? months, which will create thousands of jobs for residents of the province. USAID’s programs will focus on rural development, health, irrigation, and agriculture needs.

b) Available manpower and labor supply by special classes.

At the National level the distribution is 80% agriculture, 10% industry, and 10% services (2004 est.). The exact distribution in Paktia is unknown but expect a similar distribution, with Agriculture as high as 90%-100% in rural areas.

c) Ages and distribution. - Unknown

d) Unemployment.

At the National level unemployment rate runs around 40%. Unemployment rate in Nuristan is currently Unknown.

e) Labor productivity.

3. Agencies, institutions, and programs

a) Government labor policy.

1. Labor laws and working conditions. - Unknown

2. Role of government - Unknown

3. Government job placement controls. - Unknown

4. Wages and other incentives. - Unknown

b) Labor organizations.

1. Organizations(type, size, location, leadership, political influence) Unknown

2. Membership. - Unknown

3. Relations with foreign or international labor organizations. - Unknown

4. Total potential labor force (type, distribution, mobility, and ages) - Unknown

c) Social insurance. - Unknown

d) Labor disputes, including mechanisms for settling. - Unknown

4. Wages and standards, including hours and working conditions. – Unknown

VIII. Food and Agriculture

A. General Conditions and Problems: Around ??% of the landmass is mountainous; animal and forest production provide the main sources of livelihoods for the people over there. Since arable lands are extremely limited, subsistence agriculture is mostly practiced alongside the slopes of high mountains. Each part of the province is totally isolated from one another. Road access constitutes the main obstacle in front of the Aid Agencies to go and launch projects there.

1. Importance of agriculture in total economy- very import, it is how they survive in the whole province

2. Extent of agricultural productivity and self sufficiency- they are pretty self Sufficient and each village produces their own amount of agricultural there is really no department of agriculture, there is one but not an effective, it is really on the village to provide the food for the village or each individual.

3. Principal Problems- No effective department of agriculture, the Soviet warand the years of fighting that have been going on, has destroyed a lot of the fruit trees and agriculture, also it is very hard to get to Nuristan, because there really are no roads, very mountainous.

4. Attitude of farm population- they like them, that is the way they survive as

province, can also look down on them because of social status, but for the most part get along with them..

B. Agricultural Geography:1. Locations of principle farm areas- along the slopes of the high mountains.

2. Types of soil- very rocky soil

3. Influences of climate and topography- very mountainous, very high and low elevation.

4. Types of Crops. Corn, rice, wheat

5. Farm to market road net- dirt road, very narrow through mountains

C. Agriculture Products and Processing:1. Livestock and dairy products(types, armounts, methods of processing,

refrigeration, warehousing).- N/A the main source of income for the people of Paktia is Livestock. People produce cheese, Butter, Milk and also export sheeps, Goats and Cows to the other provinces of the country.

2. Crops(types, amounts, methods of processing, storage). Wheat otherquestions, N/A

3. Poultry(types, amounts, methods of processing, storage, refrigeration)goats, cows, sheep, chickens, N/A for how is stored and refrigerated

D. Agricultural Practices:1. Extent of mechanization-N/A 2. Improve programs- N/A more roads better landscape

3. Conservation programs- N/A try to plant more trees

4. Pest and disease control- try to come up with better refrigeration programs, vaccinate more people, rest N/A

E. Land-Holding System and Reform Programs: N/A

F. Fisheries: N/A very mountainous1. Commercial- N/A

2. Private- N/A

3. Restocking program- N/

4. Problem areas- N/A

G. Forestry:1. Reforestation program- USAID have planted many trees especially fruit

trees, but very hard to get aid to them because how rough the terrain is in Paktia.

2. Importance of forestry to the country- Need it for food and fuel

3. Forestry services or administration- have and administration, just not effective.

4. Hunting( laws and regulation and types of game) N/A

5. Products and their programs- N/A

H. Agencies, Institutions and Programs:1. Government- they have the departments but not very effective

2. Private- N/A

I. Food Products:1. Type- Fruit trees, cows, rice, sheep, cows, goats, wheat, chickens

2. Quantity- enough for the village-N/A

3. Processing- N/A

4. Location, size, ownership of warehouses- N/A

5. Types and quantity of food supplies stored- N/A

J. Applicable Laws and Regulations Governing Food and Agriculture: N/A

IX. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

A. General Conditions and Problems

1. Conditions

a. No true recognized central government

b. No central rules and regulations

c. Literacy

d. Insecurity

e. Local commanders/leaders are in power

f. No awareness of the people for the environment

g. No media or publications regarding the environment

h. No existence of a budget to address environmental issues

2. Problems

a. Deforestation

b. Range land destruction

c. Air pollution

d. Soil Erosion

e. Wildlife endangerment

f. Water Shortage

e. Land slides

f. Poverty

g. No waste management program

B. Pollution Control and Environmental Management Organizations

1. Afghanistan Forestry Department

a. Weak in power of enforcement

b. Low budget

c. Poor personnel training

d. Lack of personnel

e. Governmental corruption

C. Laws and Regulation

1. N/A

D. Sources of Pollution

1. Air

a. Small Brick Factories

b. Asphalt Factories

c. Increased small car use with increasing urban population

increase

d. Use of unregulated chemicals

2. Water

a. No waste management in urban or rual areas

b. Poverty which leads to contamination

c. Minimal health care which is a factor in the spread of disease

d. Poor electricity infrastructure to support treatment facilities

e. No regulation on disposal of hazardous chemicals and waste

3. Soil

a. No waste management in urban or rual areas

b. No regulation on disposal of hazardous chemicals and waste

c. Significant erosion

(1) Drought and heavy grazing pressure

(2) Removal of riparian vegetation

(3) Erosion by heavy rains

E. Health Hazard

1. Immediate and present threats

a. Contaminated drinking water with bacterial contaminates

b. Toxic disposal of chemical and biological wastes

c. Release of toxic chemicals into air, ie… lead

2. Near-term

a. Illegal use of pesticides which are carcinogenic

b. Poor vector control

3. Mid-term

a. Chronic exposure to carcinogenic materials

b. Developmental delays and medical conditions secondary to

chronic exposures to irritants and chemicals in the food and water

4. Long-term

a. All elements listed in 1,2 and 3 will have long term affects

X. PUBLIC HEALTH

A. Organization

1. National level

a. Public Health (DoPH)

b. Ministry of Health

2. Other levels

a. Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA)

b. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

c. United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC)

d. World Health Organization (WHO)

e. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

3. Biographical sketches of key personnel

a. Health - Dr.Hazrat Shah

b. Womens Affairs - Said Bibi Moahed

c. Swedish Committee for Afghanistan - Dr.Shamsul Islam Shams

B. General Conditions and Problems

1. Conditions

a. Poor Sanitation

b. Illiteracy

c. Limited health care

d. Low level of preventative medicine

e. Limited safe drinking water

2. Problems

a. Diseases

(1) Tuberculosis

(2) Polio

(3) Maleria

(4) Communicable Disease

b. Malnutrion

c. Child health and Nutrition:

Polio Vaccination coverage: 44, 3%

DPT vaccination coverage: 19, 7%

Measles vaccination coverage: 68, 5%

Households consuming Iodized Salt: 7, 1%

Children 1-4 years with at least one form disability: 4, 1%

d. Maternal health:

Births attended by skilled birth attendant: 1, 4%

Births delivered at home: 100%

Expectant mothers receiving ante-natal care: 2%

e. Threats to Childhood:

Women 20-24 married before age of 18 45, 5%

Children 5-15 years involved in child labor: 24, 5%

Children under 5 with births registered: 594

f. Mental health disorders

g. Poor availability to Veterinary Services

C. Agencies and Institutions

1. Hospitals

a. Number - One

(1) Hospital

b. Capacity (number of beds)

(1)

c. Location and condition of facilities

(1) Location - Laghman

2. Other medical facilities

a. Public

(1) Clinics (Comprehensive (CHC), Basic (BHC), District

(DHC)

(a) )

(b)

(c)

(d)

b. Private

(1) N/A

D. Medical Personnel

1. Numbers (doctors and nurses)

a. ?? Doctors

b. ?? Nurses

2. Location

E. Medical Equipment and Supplies

1. Surgical and dental equipment

a. Limited depending on individual clinic

2. Testing equipment

a. Basic laboratory equipment

3. Drugs

a. Availability

(1) Limited – Not all health center have dispensaries

b. Shortages

(1) Antibiotics

(2) Vaccines

4. Other supplies

a. Medical supplies in general are limited depending on facility

F. Disease

1. Predominant types

a. Tuberculosis (TB)

b. Maleria

c. Polio

d. Communicable Disease

e. Typhoid

f.

2. Control programs

a. TB Control Program by WHO

b. Maleria Control Program by WHO

c. Polio Eradication Program by WHO

G. Environmental Sanitation

1. Regulations governing food and drugs

2. Water control and supply

a. Control

(1) Urban Development Municipality Red Cresent Water

Supply Private Sector Environmental protection

Provincial Council (PC)

(2) UN agencies

(3) NGOs (International and National)

b. Supply

(1) 2% households use safe drinking water

(2) 61% households have access to main water source

(3) 38% households must travel up to 1 hour for water

(4) 1% households must travel up to 3 hours for water

3. Disposal of sewage and waste

a. Types of toilet facilities and percentage of households

(1) 1% none/bush/open field

(2) 4% open pit

(3) 22% Traditional covered latrine

(4) 0% Improved latrine

(5) 0% flush latrine

H. Public Welfare

1. Organization

a. National

(1) Ministry of Health

b. Other levels

(1) Swedish Committee for Afghanistan

(2) USAID

c. Biographical sketches of key personnel

(1) N/A

2. Major social problems

a. Juvenile delinquency

(1) Low school attendance

(2) Ongoing military conflict

b. Alcohol and narcotics abuse

(1) UNODC – Community Based Drug Awareness

Programs

c. Unemployment

d. Poverty and dependency

3. Public assistance

a. Basis upon which granted

b. Types of relief and medical care provided

(1) Basic and Comprehesive Health Clinics

(2) One hospital

4. Agencies, institutions, and programs

a. Social insurance

(1) None

b. Health insurance

(1) None

c. Accident insurance

(1) None

d. Old age, disability, and survivor’s pension

(1) None

e. Unemployment

(1) None

f. Family assistance

(1) Food assistance program sponsored by NGOs

g. Other

(1) N/A

5. Welfare services (government and private)

a. Child welfare (adoption, maternal)

(1) Currently the U.S. Embassy states that adoption is not

Possible

(2) Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs instituted program

to supply food to the orphanages country wide

b. Emergency and war relief

(1) Rural Rehabilitation Department (RRD)

c. Relief and public assistance

(1) For mentally and physically handicapped

(a) Screening by WHO program

(2) For aged and indigent

(a) N/A

6. Institutions

a. Orphanages (number, location, and capacity)

(1) 54 government run in Afghanistan and 8 private

(2) 10,205 orphans are currently place in orphanages

b. Homes for the aged (number, location, and capacity)

(1) None

c. Physical therapy (number and location)

(1) Minimal and episodic based on funding by SCA

7. Programs

a. Recreational

(1) Provided by NGO’s

b. Vocational

(1) Limited- sponsored by NGO

(a) Poultry raising

(b) Gardening

(c) Tailoring

c. Health

(1) Medical training to doctors and nurses by the WHO

(2) Mental Health Care/Assessment training to doctors by

WHO

d. Child care

(1) No government funded programs at this time

8. Wefare personnel

a. Professioanl standards

(1) N/A

b. Volunteer assistance

(1) N/A

c. Number available by type of organization

(1) N/A

9. Financial and legal

a. Financial plan ( how funds are obtained)

(1) Grants and loans by USAID and other NGOs

(2) Funds distributed and prioritized by :

(a) Ministry of Public Health

(b) Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Martyrs

& Disabled

b. Laws and regulations

(1) Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Martyrs &

Disabled

(2) Ministry of Public Health

c. Organizational structure

(1) N/A

10. Regulations governing public welfare

a. Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Article 52.

XI. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

A. General Conditions and Problems1. A lack of all weather roads connecting key areas of the province is a major

impediment to governance and economic development. Local contractors are carrying out several road construction project with international (USAID, PRT, USACE, UNOPS) and ministerial (MRRD, MoPW) funding. Security and other problems have slowed construction progress.

XII. PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

A. General Conditions and Problems1. Local entrepreneurs and NGOs have built community hydropower projects in a few

villages since the mid 1990s.

XIII. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

A. General Conditions and Problems. There are three District Communications Network centers. These facilities, operated by Afghan Telecom, provide telephones, Internet, and photocopying services to both the district government officials and the public at large.

B. Postal System. Postal service is still recovering from years of conflict. There is a post office in Nuristan, and the potential for the postal network to function as not only a delivery vehicle for letter and parcels, but also government services, other communications technologies and (potentially) financial services. However, at present, many post offices are dilapidated and lack even such basic equipment as scales and franking machines.

1. Extent and frequency of service.

a. Metropolitan. b. Rural.

2. Censorship. 3. Private carriers. 4. Parcel post service. 5. Other functions.

a. Postal savings. b. Money order service. c. Issuance of licenses. d. Tax information service.

C. Telephone. The country teledensity remains on the order of 2 telephones per 1,000 people. In addition the Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) in consultation with the involved parties has completed the Universal Access Policy and Manual of Operating Procedures of Telecommunications development fund documents in late 2008 and the authority is now ready to embark on the implementation of the first Rural Telecommunications Development project. Following the analysis of telecommunications status in various parts of the country, 20 districts in Nuristan provinces were selected. These provinces are in the bottom of the telecommunications development index and the selected districts do not have access to telecommunications services and are not included to in the development plans of telecom companies for 2009.

1. Exchanges and local service. 2. Long-line systems and connecting grids. 3. Priority usage. 4. Censorship. 5. Private systems. 6. International and intercontinental wire and submarine cables.

D. Telegraph. N/A

1. Exchanges and local service. 2. Long-line systems and connecting grids. 3. Priority usage. 4. Censorship. 5. Private systems. 6. International and intercontinental wire and submarine cables.

E. Radio and Television. Transmitting stations (number, type, and location). Radio Kalagush, a U.S.-funded Afghan radio station broadcasted from Forward Operating Base Kalagush. The only plus to public opinion in Nuristan is that 68% percent of television viewers watch Indian television, which means they are exposed to international viewpoints (although Al Jazeera still commands the largest audience)

1. Transmitting stations (number, type, and location). 2. Channels, frequencies, and trunk lines. 3. Hours of operation. 4. Censorship. 5. Propaganda usage. 6. Foreign influence. 7. Foreign broadcasts. 8. Programming.

F. Applicable Laws Governing Communications Systems. N/A

XIV. Public Education

A. OrganizationB. General Conditions and Problems

1. Paktians understand the need for education to compete in today’s marketplace. In addition to basic education for children, vocational training is in demand.

2. The overall literacy rate for Pashto and Dari (second languages for the region) is estimated at 25%. However, while nearly one-third of men are literate (31%), this is true for only around one-fifth of women (19%). The male population is aged between 15 and 24 is less literate than that of general male population, with 25% literacy rate. For women in the same age group the figures show an even greater decrease in the literacy rate to just 9%. The Pashtun population in the province has particularly low levels of literacy with 4.2% of men and no women able to read and write.

C. Agencies, Institutions, and Programs1. Paktia has approximately ??? schools, ?? in dedicated buildings and the rest in

makeshift quarters. Due to both basic need and as a COIN strategy, the Ministry of Education has made Paktia is a priority and new schools are being built; but again construction has been slowed down due to insurgent activity. The Indian government was supporting school instruction in 2007, and USAID and PRT have continuing programs.

XV. CIVIL INFORMATION.

A. General Conditions, Problems, and Stage of Development. Paktia Province is located in eastern Afghanistan, ???????????????????????????

1. Effect of geographic, social, economic, and political factors.

Primary Political Parties:

Jamiat-e Islami (Islamic Society of Afghanistan): Led by former Prime Minister Burhanuddin Rabbani.  It is predominately a Tajik political party which was active in the anti-Soviet jihad and a major political player in the Northern Alliance.  Today Rabbani supports Karzai.  Yunus Qanuni’s Hezb-e Afghanistan Naween broke away from Jamiat-e Islami. The party is particularly popular in Wama and Parun districts. According to Altai surveys it comes in at 18% of the province.

Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin (HiG): Mujahideen party active since the Soviet invasion; led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.  HiG was famous for its shifting loyalties, and was the favorite party of Pakistan’s ISI until the rise of the Taliban. Former members continue to wield considerable influence in the province. Actively opposed to US-led and Afghan national forces.  Hekmatyar is a Kharoti Ghilzai and, therefore, less influential than the much more respected and powerful Khugianis, such as Haji Din Mohammad and Anwarul Haq Mohammad.

Ittihad-e Islami (Sayyaf): Sayyaf is under the guidance of Adbul Rasool Sayyaf, and has been since the anti-Soviet campaign. Despite ideological and cultural similarities with the Taliban, Sayyaf did not join them (for personal reasons) and went with the Northern Alliance. He follows strict Wahhabi interpretations of Islam, and is not known for tolerance. In the past this party has been known for its foreign supporters and followers; the former often Arab, the latter from places as diverse as the Southern Philippines, Chechnya, and Bosnia.  In February 1993 government forces and members of the Ittihad-e Islami massacred over 700 Hazara in the Afshar district of West Kabul.

Hamnazar: One of the most important parties of the Meshrano Jirga, Hamnazar (Alliance) mainly consists of pro-Karzai MPs, who are Western

sympathizers. The group numbers some thirty parliamentarians and is led by Amin Zai. A doctor by profession, he is closely allied with Karzai who strongly supported him for this position.

2. Reading, listening, viewing habits. 3. Rural-urban differences. 4. Anticommunist appeal. 5. International outlook. 6. Techniques to measure impact.

B. Newspapers, Periodicals, and Publishing Firms. Unknown

1. Name. 2. Location. 3. Ownership. 4. Circulation. 5. Publication. 6. Language. 7. Editorial policies (political persuasion). 8. Procedures. 9. Employees. 10. Equipment. 11. Sources of supply. 12. Revenue.

C. Miscellaneous Means of Communications. Unknown

1. Private printing facilities. 2. Advertising agencies. 3. Others.